Anchor Riding Sail - thoughts, experiences and designs

[kas_1611]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Just a thought, having never tried this, but I think a riding sail on the boom will be a lot less effective than a riding sail hanked on to a backstay.
The back stay gets the sail as far aft as possible.

Nigel,

I concur the backstay would be preferable and that this would place the sail as far aft as possible. However with the bimini in the way it's extremely difficult to reach the backstay in order to hank anything on, then there is the complication of rigging the "downhaul" and having to disconnect the topping lift from the boom to hoist the sail up the backstay.

So in the eternal search for the simple life this is why I wondered about just hoisting from the back of the boom as I have to kick it out to the side to access the topping lift anyway and it's easier to rig. If I were to rig the sail forward to a midships cleat on the same side it would only be about 75cm further forward than off the backstay. It would also remove the problem of sail/bimini interactions.

Of course I could "make" my sail with hank on clips so that both options were possible.

And I will look into a bridle set up but not sure how it would work with my Shockles Anchor Snubber and my very forward bow cleats.

Cheers to all

Keiron

[nigel1]

Keiron,

Regarding the bridle, I think the suggestion is a line from the midships, or even an aft cleat, and then made fast to the anchor chain. By adjusting the length of the line and the chain, you can turn the boat off the wind.

It's very useful when you have a swell coming from a different direction to the wind, it will enable you to turn the boat so that the bow is to the swell.

However, probably not a good idea in strong wind as you'll be lying across the wind and putting a lot of force on the anchor.

[belizesailor]

Anyone ever try a riding sail on a cat?

When wind an current set up 180d opposed, some cats walk around like crazy. I wound up 180 opposed to a Catana (dagger boards) recently in light air and slow current opposed.

[Cheechako]

With a short fin keel you may need a riding sail. Just another tradeoff.

[B_Hunter45]

What about the material? some use sailcloth 6-7oz, sailrite uses TOP-GUN on their kit? what do you think?